Bucks Showing Interest in Cam Thomas, But a Deal Feels Like a Long Shot-for Now
With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, the rumor mill is heating up-and one of the more intriguing names to surface is Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas. According to a report, the Milwaukee Bucks have expressed interest in the high-volume scorer, but the potential fit-and the path to a deal-raises more questions than answers.
Let’s start with what we know: Thomas is in the midst of a down year compared to his previous two campaigns. He’s currently averaging 16.1 points and 3.1 assists per game, shooting just under 40% from the field and a shaky 31.8% from three. For a player whose game is built around getting buckets, that level of inefficiency is hard to ignore.
This is also a contract year for Thomas. After accepting Brooklyn’s qualifying offer last summer, he’ll be hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time this offseason.
That adds a layer of complexity for any team considering a move-not just in terms of cost, but in terms of commitment. Any team trading for him would essentially be renting him for a few months unless they’re willing to pony up in free agency.
So why would the Bucks, a team not exactly in “win-now” mode, be kicking the tires on a player like Thomas?
That’s the million-dollar question.
Milwaukee’s season hasn’t gone according to plan. They’re not tanking outright, but they’re also not pushing their chips in for a deep playoff run.
They’re in that murky middle ground-too talented to bottom out, but not quite in the contender tier. That makes the idea of trading for a scoring guard with a limited all-around game and an expiring deal feel... puzzling.
From a financial standpoint, acquiring Thomas wouldn’t be difficult. He’s making $5.9 million this season, a manageable number for most teams.
But trade value isn't just about salaries-it's about assets. And the Bucks aren’t exactly flush with draft capital or young prospects they’d be willing to part with for a player like Thomas.
If Milwaukee isn’t offering picks, and Brooklyn isn’t in the business of giving away players for nothing, then what’s the incentive?
It’s also important to note: this isn’t about some blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. Thomas isn’t a trade chip in some far-fetched Giannis-to-Brooklyn scenario. The report linking the Bucks to Thomas is a standalone item, not part of a multi-team mega-deal.
Still, there’s one scenario where this could make a sliver of sense. If Milwaukee is working on a larger move and ends up with some additional assets-say, a couple of second-round picks-they could theoretically flip one to Brooklyn for Thomas.
From the Nets’ perspective, turning an expiring contract into any kind of future value might be appealing. But again, that’s a narrow window.
And even if the Bucks did bring Thomas in, it’s unclear what kind of impact he’d actually have. He’s not a playmaker.
He’s not a plus defender. He’s a scorer-pure and simple.
That’s both his strength and his limitation. When he’s hot, he can change a game.
But when the shot isn’t falling, he doesn’t offer much else. On a team like Milwaukee, which already has stars who need the ball, it’s hard to see how Thomas would carve out a meaningful role.
Of course, there’s always the “what if” factor. What if he rediscovers the form he showed in 2023-24 and 2024-25, when he was averaging over 20 points per game?
What if a change of scenery helps him get back on track? Those are fair questions, but they come with risk-and likely a price tag this summer that Milwaukee may not be willing to pay.
In the end, this feels like a situation worth monitoring more than one that’s on the verge of happening. Unless Thomas is part of a larger package or the Bucks suddenly find themselves flush with extra picks, it’s hard to see a clear path forward.
For now, it’s just smoke. Whether it turns into fire remains to be seen.